The Big Red Nation comprises every person that has walked the hallowed halls of 420 North 4th Street, or has "adopted" the Red as their team along the way.
The Nation stretches to points all over the globe with loyal Big Red alums checking in via the internet, or phone, on the results and happenings with the team.
At home or on the road, the Mighty Big Red are always extremely well represented, and have packed visiting stands all over the state. Almost all of the OHSAA non D1 playoff attendance records involve the team from the banks of the Ohio River.
We here at rollredroll.com are very proud of our school, as well as our fans, and are honored to salute our rabid fan base with this "Big RedNation" section.
~The Nation Speaks~
Big Red fans recall their fondest memories.
Volume 1: Sean Conrad, class of 1986.
It was a Friday evening in the fall of the early 1970’s (I was 5-7 years old at the time) & I was riding around Steubenville in the car with my father. We drove by Harding Stadium & the only light that was on was the light that illuminated the ticket booth were the words read "Harding Stadium Home of the Big Red". I asked my father, "hey daddy isn’t the Big Red playing football tonight?" He replied, "yes they are, but they are away at Massillon". The emotion that I recall from that night was sadness. Not because the Big Red was playing Massillon, but because we wouldn’t be seeing the Big Red that evening.
Over my 40 years of life, like many fans, I have experienced many highs & lows following my favorite teams. But unequivocally, if every sport were to be halted and only one sport would be allowed to remain my vote would be for high school football. In my opinion, there is no other sport that I get more enjoyment from than watching the Big Red on a cool fall Friday evening in the friendly confines of Harding Stadium. As the players approach the top of the steps before entering the field of play there is anticipation in the air that is unmatched in any other sporting venue that I have attended.
I asked a friend from the Youngstown area a few years ago (that was a good high school player in his own right) his perception of the Big Red and why we are so successful. Without missing a beat he stated, that Big Red imposes their will on the opponent & by doing that they take the other team out of their game plan". That is a direct reflection of a top notch coaching staff and dedication by the players, year in & year out to perform at their best at every opportunity because they have such a small window of time in which to add to the tradition which is BIG RED FOOTBALL.
Of course most of the greatest memories (good & bad) happen away from Harding Stadium during the months of November and December which means "playoffs"!
I am honored that I was asked by the RollRedRoll staff to share my fondest memories & of course memories can be good & bad, so I will share the worst one first. The year was 1994 and it was the week after we played and won an exciting playoff game against Columbus DeSales after coming from behind on three separate occasions. The next week we were up 21-0 against West Branch in the first half only for the wheels to come off & we ended up losing 31-28. I was already set for my state championship road trip the next week only to watch it slip away, wow did that one hurt.
Of course, the nice thing about talking about the bad memories first is there are only great memories to follow and this takes me back to my junior year at the Big Red, 1984. In my opinion the 1984 championship is an even better championship than the 2005/06 back to back state titles because it set the standard for all to follow. I still remember the setting inside of Ohio Stadium in Columbus & can easily bring back those emotions of total elation because my fellow classmates were the first Big Red team to bring home a state title that was won on the field. This in no way is meant to demean the success of Big Red football before 1984 or since, because the standard and tradition have for the most part always been extremely high. Not all teams can win the state title; sometimes it is the bounce of the ball & other times we just got beat by a better team. Regardless of the outcome each season I walk away with the privilege of being a Big Red fan.
Now there are other great memories and moments to share, and the run the last six to seven years has really been great. I could fill a book with all of my memories, but there isn’t the time or the space to do that now. It is a great thing to be a Big Red fan, and being an alum makes it that much sweeter.
Roll RED Roll
To add your favorite Big Red memories email me at BIGREDMANOWAR@comcast.net
